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Martin Shipton Meets....
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We're back with series two of Martin Shipton Meets. Listen to WalesOnline's chief reporter in conversation with leading figures from Welsh politics and public life. Martin specialises in controversial and investigative stories and has been involved in covering the National Assembly since its outset.

60 episodes available.
A new episode about every
7 days
averaging 43 mins duration
.

One of Wales' leading writers discusses his new novel Throw Me to the Wolves, which is loosely based on the treatment of his former teacher Christopher Jefferies, an initial suspect in the murder of Joanna Yeates. Professor Patrick McGuinness, who lives in Caernarfon, speaks of his upbringing in English boarding schools, and of living in Buchar ...…

CEO of Wales Co-operative Centre, Derek Walker, sets out why social enterprises and cooperative business models can be at the centre of a more inclusive economy. He also discusses the state of the trade union movement, dramatic changes in the workplace and the impact of Brexit. Derek, who was one of Stonewall's first employees in Wales, also ta ...…

Meri Huws has reached the end of her seven-year tenure as Welsh Language Commissioner. She looks back at what she's achieved in the role and sets out what must happen next to ensure people in Wales can live their lives through Welsh to the extent that they wish. She also recalls the activism and civil disobedience of her youth as a member of Cy ...…

David Melding takes Martin through his route to becoming a politician, which included backing the No campaign opposing the creation of the institution he now sits on. The AM for South Wales Central explains why he doesn't support calls for second Brexit referendum, despite being a passionate Remainer. He also shares his thoughts on how the 2021 ...…

Daran Hill is the managing director of public affairs company Postif Politics. He discusses lobbying in Wales - does it have a bad name? And should it be regulated more closely? He also speaks on navigating political friendships and the significance of Carl Sargeant's death on Welsh politics.

Jane Dodds, who became leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in 2017, describes her political journey. She tells Martin why she believes the new Independent Group in Westminster could signal the end of two-party politics, about the challenges of being leader without holding elected office and her optimism for the 2021 Assembly elections.…

Lord Peter Hain talks devolution, Brexit and racism. The former MP for Neath also warns of the erosion of his party's traditional base, amid the "most disillusioning period in British politics" he's experienced.

The Labour AM for Cardiff Central tells of her journey to the Assembly via Latin America, a career in journalism and heading up a Sure Start programme for disadvantaged parents. She speaks on inequality, the Labour party resignations and her controversies; Her criticism of the M4 Relief Road, and her suspension for comments made about the Jewis ...…

When Dr Sibani Roy first moved to North Wales, she didn't feel welcome. Her experiences led her to found the North Wales Association for Multicultural Integration, which is working to build up a cohesive community. Dr Roy, a medical ethicist and former mayor of Colywn Bay tells Martin about her mission for integration, rather than assimilation.…

Former Cardiff Central MP Jon Owen Jones speaks about the lack of scrutiny in devolved Wales. He tells Martin of life in pre-devolution politics and his time spent as a junior minister at the Welsh Office. He also recalls the Alun Michael and Rhodri Morgan row, and the reasons behind the demise of the Forestry Commission, which he chaired until ...…

A year has passed since Jack Sargeant became one of Wales's youngest politicians at the age of 23, in a by-election triggered by the death of his father Carl. The Welsh Labour AM for Alyn and Deeside tells Martin how he's carrying on the legacy of his father while determined to make his own mark on the job. He also talks kinder politics, the fu ...…

Mike Joseph's German Jewish parents escaped Europe on the day war broke out in 1939. The journalist turned genocide historian spent time tracing his relatives but was only able to identify the SS leader who coordinated their killings. He tells Martin about the fine line between correcting historic injustice while not perpetuating contemporary i ...…

The devolution expert and former Wales international tells Martin about her career journey, juggling academia with football. The professor of public policy at Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre talks about the biggest weaknesses at the Welsh Assembly - a lack of pluralism and bravery.

Journalist and communications consultant Guto Harri lifts the lid on working for Boris Johnson and Rupert Murdoch. He tells Martin why he's been called a traitor, and about his return to Wales for new S4C politics series Y Byd yn ei Le, as they discuss Brexit and the so-called meaningful vote.

Andrew Morgan explains his journey from bricklayer to leader of one of Wales' biggest councils, Rhondda Cynon Taf. He talks about coping with austerity, cynicism in politics and the impact of a no-deal Brexit. The chair of the Cardiff Capital Region also explains how the body hopes to create thousands of new jobs in South Wales.…

Ann Clwyd has represented the Cynon Valley as MP since 1984, and was previously MEP for Mid and West Wales.. The Labour politician tells how her early career as a Guardian journalist forged her strong links with South Wales' coal miners, and recalls the day she went underground to save Tower Colliery. She also tells Martin why she believes Tony ...…

Author Daryl Leeworthy talks about the rise and fall of social democracy in South Wales. He tells Martin that if we're to improve the lives of people in South Wales, we need to recapture the culture of our radical past. His book Labour Country is published by Parthian Books.

What happens if you are convicted for a crime you didn't commit? Solicitor Glyn Maddocks has spent much of his career representing victims of miscarriages of justice. He tells Martin why the British legal system isn't working and why it must change.

Ken Skates reveals how he overcame self-doubt and anxiety on his journey to become Wales' cabinet secretary for economy and transport, and sets out why he's championing the need to improve society's emotional and mental health. The AM also talks about the legacy of Carwyn Jones, his hopes for Mark Drakeford and why he didn't proceed with the Ci ...…

Adrian Crompton was appointed Auditor General for Wales earlier this year where he oversees the annual audit of some £20bn of taxpayers' cash. He tells Martin of his rise from a research clerk at the House of Commons, his work to strengthen political institutions around the world, and why he believes Wales needs more AMs.…

Professor Kevin Morgan chaired the Yes for Wales campaign in the 1997 devolution referendum. The social scientist recalls the dramatic night of the vote, and discusses single party rule and the lack of constructive challenge in Wales.

Peter Black is the former AM for South Wales West and now deputy mayor of Swansea. He tells Martin why he voted in favour of the UK coalition in 2010, how his party needs to rebuild trust and why he thinks UK politics is broken.

Paul Flynn, the former stalwart MP for Newport West, is interviewed after announcing his intention to step down from Parliament due to ill health. Martin visited him at home where he was battling arthritis, to reflect on his career and the challenges ahead for Wales. Mr Flynn passed away three months later in February 2019.…

Rhuanedd Richards is the new editor of BBC Radio Cymru and Welsh language online service Cymru Fyw. She tells Martin about the future of the station, which she credits for inspiring her to learn Welsh in the first place. They also discuss impartiality and the state of journalism in Wales.

Both Aled Eirug's grandfather and father were conscientious objectors in the First World War and Second World War respectively. The journalist turned academic tells Martin Shipton why it inspired him to research Wales' anti-war campaigners for new book The Opposition to the Great War in Wales 1914-1918.…

Theo Davies-Lewis is a 20-year-old student at Oxford University, where he re-established the Media Society. He discusses private education in Wales, finding a political party he can relate with and his campaign for a statue to honour Jim Griffiths in his hometown Llanelli.

Steve Thomas, chief executive of the Welsh Local Government Association, describes how local services are being decimated by the politics of austerity. He also discusses the long-running reorganisation saga, the calibre of councillors and the scandal at Caerphilly.

Political expert Professor Roger Awan-Scully is head of politics and international relations at Cardiff University. He and Martin discuss how four new party leaders could change the Welsh Assembly - and whether citizen assemblies are the answer to tackling disengagement in Wales.

Professor John Tomaney was chair of the ill-fated 2004 referendum campaign that wanted to establish a regional assembly in the North East of England. He talks regional identity, anti-London sentiment and why we should stop bending over backwards for the tech giants.

We're back with series two. In the first episode Martin meets Helen Mary Jones who returns to Cardiff Bay after a seven-year absence. The Plaid AM talks nationalism, what Plaid Cymru needs to do to win in 2021 and the transgender debate.

Former MP for Cardiganshire, Elystan Morgan, has been a member of the House of Lords for 37 years. Martin travels to Westminster to hear about working with Gwynfor Evans, the sleeping giant of Welsh nationhood and why the House of Lords is "wholly ridiculous".

The Labour AM is seeking nominations to succeed Carwyn Jones as party leader and First Minister. She tells Martin about her chances and talks of her plans as Minister for the Welsh language, gender inequality in politics and Brexit.

This week Martin travels to Westminster to meet Wales's youngest MP, Ben Lake. He reveals how he's settling in after his unexpected victory and talks of the challenges facing rural Wales and of a potential rematch with Mark Williams.

Neil Hamilton talks in-fighting, being public enemy number one and controversy in Cardiff Bay. The Ukip AM also tells Martin about his Welsh roots, Thatcherism and what Brexit means for the future for his party.

Rob is the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain. On this week's podcast he talks about his involvement in the Welsh Socialist Republican Movement and how he came to be arrested on suspicion of planting a bomb in an army recruitment office. He also discusses his time with Plaid Cymru and the problems the Communist Party face elect ...…

Tony is one of the UK's foremost environmental campaigners and Anne is the Head of WWF Cymru. The pair discuss the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project, the impact that Brexit will have on environmental policy and how small lifestyle changes can have a huge effect on climate change.

He's the former controller of BBC Wales who co-founded the Institute of Welsh Affairs and chaired the Remain campaign in Wales. Geraint Talfan-Davies shares what life was like behind the scenes during the Brexit referendum, talks devolution and tells Martin about his new book Unfinished Business.

The Future Generations Commissioner on her journey from Wales' youngest councillor. She tells Martin why misogyny should be a hate crime, her fears for the M4 relief road and why a massive programme of cultural change is needed in Wales.

Cerys Furlong tells Martin about her journey to chief executive of Chwarae Teg, the charity which supports the economic development of women in Wales. They talk sexual harassment, discrimination and whether gender quotas in politics are a necessary evil.

From drama school to frontline politics, this week's guest is Newport council leader Debbie Wilcox. She tells Martin her thoughts on the Welsh Labour deputy leadership contest, local government reorganisation, Jeremy Corbyn and gender politics.

One of the leading figures of Plaid Cymru, the former AM and MP speaks to Martin as he turns 80. Cynog talks on the remarkable transformation of the Welsh language, the early years of the National Assembly and how his party can move forward.

How do we tackle the housing crisis? Aaron Hill, assistant director of policy and public affairs at Community Housing Cymru, speaks on the huge shortage of homes, the creation of new communities and the rise in rough sleeping on Welsh streets.

He may be retired from politics but Jeff Jones remains as outspoken as ever. This week the former council leader and Labour councillor for 25 years, speaks on corruption and what's wrong with the Valleys. He also recalls the day a package containing white powder was sent to his office, and tells of how he was cleared of contempt after a High Co ...…

John Osmond is former director of the Institute of Welsh Affairs and was the Western Mail's Welsh Affairs Editor in the 1970s. He has now written a novel charting Welsh political history. The first volume of Ten Million Stars Are Burning is set at the centre of the devolution debate in 1973-79.

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